Belleville Bulls rebound with help from 2005 eligibles

By Doug Pritchett

December 22nd, 2004

Last season, one of the biggest surprises in the CHL was the fact thatan expansion team – the Evert (Washingnton) Silvertips

One of thebiggest surprises during the first half of the 2004-05 OHL season has been the dramaticturnaround in the fortunes of the Belleville Bulls. Last season the Bulls finishedwith the worst record in the league by recording only 15 wins, missing thepostseason for the first time in 22 years.

Only 13 veteransfrom the 2003-04 team were scheduled to return to the fallopening camp, which would make this season’s Bulls team even younger thanthe team of the previous season.

Despitethese potential problems, the 2004-05 team charged outof the gate. With the first half of the season completed, the Bulls are second inthe East Division with a 16-13-4-2 record.

There havebeen many factors that have contributed to the turnaround. Below are a few ofthe on-ice factors.

Trades – The team has been veryaggressive on the trading front. So far, Bellevillehas made six trades with five different teams in order to bring 12 new playersinto the lineup. To swing these trades the Bulls have moved both players as wellas future draft picks. According to Coach Burnett, the common theme in thesetrades for Bellevillehas been the acquisition of more experience and depth. Several examples illustratethe success of these trades: center EvanBropheyhas increased his points per game from1.00 at Barrie to 1.45 at Belleville, center Conner Cameron has increased his points per game from 0.11 atToronto to 0.38 at Belleville, defenseman WesCunningham has increased his points per game from 0.17 at Owen Sound to0.38 at Belleville, and winger JeffLeavitt has increased his points per game from 0.13 at Windsor to 0.46 atBelleville.

Goaltending – Goaltender Eric Tobiawas the MVP of the team last season. This season he continues to perform well.His save percentage has risen (from .898 in 2003-04 to a current .913), while hisGAA has dropped (from 3.69 to 3.12). Further, rookie goalie Kevin Lalandehas put up some impressive numbers as well, posting a 2.36 GAA, a .930 savepercentage, and one shutout in 15 games played. His save percentage is thethird best in the league, and his stats place him ahead of all rookiegoaltenders in the league.

Leadership, Character, and Role Players – The team has no superstars;its success depends instead upon a good mix and combination of players. Marc Rancourt,the captain, leads the team in scoring (43 points), followed by Evan Brophey(42 points), Cody Thornton (28 points),and Andrew Maksym(24 points). Matt Kelly and Jeff Leavitt provide grit. Forward Evan Brophey leadsin the plus/minus category with an overall +7. The overagersare: Eric Tobia,Marc Rancourtand Pat Sutton. There is one importplayer, Martin Novak, and three 1988birth year players selected by Bellevillein the 2004 OHL Priority Selection. These are John Hughes (1st pick overall), Matt Belesky (2nd round), and Shawn Matthias (6th round).All three underagers are playing and contributing.

The Bullsremain one of the youngest teams in the league. Eight players are in their OHLrookie season, and two-thirds of the team is 18 years of age or younger, which positionsthe Bulls for several more strong showings in the coming seasons. The youthfulnessof the team also means that there will be several Belleville players under consideration forthe next NHL Entry Draft.

Of theBulls who are draft eligible, Kevin Lalandewill end up drawing the most attention betweennow and the next draft.

“Hehas had an outstanding first half. He is poised, confident, and performing verywell,” said Coach Burnett. NHL Central Scouting’spreliminary ranking has him ranked as second among OHL goalies. But if he continuesto play well, he may very well be ranked first when Central Scouting releasesits OHL mid-term ranking.

Also underthe spotlight is 1986 birth player EvanBrophey.“He is strong, skates well, hasskill, competes hard, and has pro attributes,” said Coach Burnett. AlthoughBrophey was passed over in last spring’s draft,he has a late (December 3rd) birthday, he has good size (6’2,190 lbs.) and this season he has demonstrated both a scoring touch and sounddefensive play. NHL Central Scouting’spreliminary ranking has him ranked as 16th among OHL skaterseligible for the next NHL Entry Draft.

Accordingto Coach Burnett, three Bulls prospects currently under the radar aredefensemen Geoff Killing and Bobby Davey, and forwardAndrew Maksym. A good second half will raise their stockas well.

Theteam’s one previously drafted player is Ryan Rorabeck, taken by Carolina in the ninth round of the 2003 EntryDraft. He has had injury troubles, sidelined by a shoulder injury during mostof November and December, but scored in the first two games upon returning fromdisability. In the second half of this season it will be important for him tostay healthy.

And whenthe next NHL Entry Draft takes place, several more Bulls will undoubtedly join Rorabeck amongst the ranks of NHL drafted prospects.

Copyright 2004 Hockey’sFuture.Do not duplicate withoutpermission of the editorial staff.